Bathroom art

Deep inside the friendly confines of Joe & Jo’s in downtown Durham, bathroom art has found a home. The walls are coated with chalkboard paint and ever-changing multi-colored creations. If you have an urge to leave your mark, guilt free, head over to 427 W. Main St. Just remember that other people have to use the bathroom, too. —D.L. Anderson

Mordecai Historic Park

One of my favorite spots to relax is Mordecai Historic Park in Raleigh. It’s a great quiet place to sit under a tree and read. In the fall the vines are full of huge scuppernong grapes, and their smell is out of this world. It takes me back to being a kid. —Carla Galati